Hernia injury set to force Pietersen home as England celebrate South Africa win

Andrew Strauss hailed a ‘huge’ win for his side yesterday but England’s stunning six-run victory here over South Africa was tempered by the news that Kevin Pietersen is likely to be heading home.

Pietersen last night reported soreness in the hernia injury that requires an operation after a victory that puts his country back on course for the World Cup quarter-finals going into Friday’s game against joint hosts Bangladesh.

England are reluctant to take a gamble on an injured player and look set today to decide that Pietersen’s World Cup is over and apply to replace him with either Craig Kieswetter or Eoin Morgan.

Heading home: Kevin Pietersen looks set to leave the World Cup after struggling with injury

Coach Andy Flower had hoped to nurse Pietersen through to the end of this tournament, but the former captain has been woefully out of 50-over form, which continued when he was dismissed for two in the first over yesterday.

England looked dead and buried as South Africa cruised to 63 without loss in pursuit of a lowly target of 172, but four wickets for Stuart Broad inspired Strauss’s men to an unlikely triumph.

The England captain said: ‘It was a huge game for us because, after the Ireland defeat, we needed to show some character.

‘The guys dug very deep in the field and I was delighted for the bowlers, who have been under the pump. We had to get on a roll and put South Africa in a situation where there was some pressure on, and we did just that. We’ve been involved in three very tight games so far in this World Cup, and we’re certainly doing our bit to advertise the 50-over format. But we’d like them to be less close than they are.’

Misery and delight: England celebrate beating a disconsolate South Africa

Broad claimed the final two wickets in the space of four balls after Tim Bresnan had bowled Morne van Wyk to end a stubborn eighth-wicket stand of 33 with Dale Steyn.

Still only 12 runs were needed for victory then, but Steyn was trapped in front in the first over of Broad’s new spell, the 48th of the innings, before Morne Morkel edged a catch behind.

That sparked jubilation among an England side who had been widely ridiculed after their three-wicket defeat by Ireland.

Earlier, England were rescued from a disastrous 15 for three by a stand of 99 between Jonathan Trott and Ravi Bopara, who won the man-of-the-match award after coming into the side for Paul Collingwood, who was finally dropped after his long winter of discontent with the bat.

Essex star Bopara made 60 to help England eke out 171 on a pitch that took turn from the start, and Strauss admitted: ‘It was a tough call on Colly because he has been a big member of our side for a long time. Paul might have a role to play later on in this tournament, but for the time being Ravi is looking like a good option at No 5.’